Long-Term Consumption of Korean Red Ginseng Slows Progression of HIV: Study

Korean red ginseng is reported to have many health benefits. (Shutterstock)

A recent South Korean medical study shows that long-term consumption of Korean red ginseng can slow down the rate that HIV reaches more advanced stages.

The study was conducted by a research team led by Professor Cho Young-gul from the Microbiology Department of the University of Ulsan’s Asan Medical Center in Seoul. It followed 146 HIV patients for 10 years and found that a consistent intake of Korean ginseng (also known as red ginseng) can delay the rate HIV weakens the patient’s immune system.

The results of the study were presented at a major South Korean medical conference in June and published in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Ginseng Research.

The team divided the 146 HIV patients into two groups: a group of 58 taking Korean red ginseng and a control group of 88, according to the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.

HIV is usually a low virulence (slow growing) virus, known as R5-tropic, during the early stages of infection. Over time, it becomes a more virulent (malignant) virus, known as X4-tropic.

When the virus progresses into the highly-virulent X4-tropic type, HIV-infected cells will aggressively fuse with non-infected cells nearby, significantly decreasing the number of immune cells. Under ordinary circumstances, 50 to 70 percent of HIV patients experience such a progression, in which CD4+ T cells are depleted.

AIDS is the final and most severe stage of HIV, where the patient’s severely damaged immune system cannot fight off opportunistic infections.

After about 10 years of follow-up observation, the study found the group that took 5.4 grams of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) per day remained at the R5 (early) stages of HIV 2.98 times longer than the control group. Meanwhile, the virus’s transformation period from R5 (low virulent) to X4 (highly virulent) was also 3.46 times longer in the ginseng-taking group.

In particular, the study found an even higher correlation in those with hemophilia that also contracted HIV from receiving prophylactic coagulation factor VIII, for whom the less virulent HIV was maintained fourfold longer. Hemophilia is a disorder in which blood doesn’t clot normally, with symptoms such as unexplained and excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries and the frequent appearance of many large or deep bruises.

“This study confirms that [consistent] ingestion of Korean red ginseng delays the progression of HIV from weak initial toxicity to a virus with strong pathogenicity. It is a key mechanism that can significantly inhibit virus proliferation and slow down the rate of immune cell reduction,” Professor Cho said, as reported by Chosun Ilbo.

A related study published by the research team in 2016 showed that a patient with HIV who used Korean red ginseng consistently for a long time did not have symptoms of AIDS for over 30 years, The Korea Times reported.

Since ancient times, ginseng has been referred to as the “King of Herbs” and hailed as the best medicine for “nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the body” by the eastern medical community.

Ginseng produced in South Korea is known to be of good quality and shows the greatest medicinal effect among all cultivated ginsengs. It has been widely used by Chinese emperors and other Asian rulers for thousands of years. In the present day, it has become South Korea’s national gift to the heads of state of other nations.

In traditional medicine, Korean ginseng is thought to invigorate and nourish the body, increase strength, restore body fluids, and calm the mind.

Modern medical research says that Korean ginseng strengthens the immune system, enhances brain function, fights fatigue, and even improves symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Other properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and anti-aging.